Duration : 15 Days
Places
Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Amer - Ranthambhor - Bharatpur - Keoladeo
Ghana National Bird Sanctuary - Agra - Orcha - Bhandavgarh National Park -
Khajuraho - Varanasi - Kashi - Delhi
A tour not only through some
of the most important "tiger country" but a superb blend of the
Indian "pot-pourrie". You will have a chance to see everything
that is associated with India. We have the Taj, the colourful bazaars of
Jaipur, the mega city of Delhi, the mud fort of Bharatpur, the marvels of
Khajurao, the oldest city of India Varanasi. Besides the wild life
sanctuaries of Kanha, Ranthambhor, Bhandavgarh and the best bird sanctuary
at Bharatpur. This tour can be extended to include a visit to the national
parks in Nepal along with the Budhist centres.
Day 1 -- »
Arrive to DelhiArrival Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a
warm welcome to India, a sincere greeting with a bow and folded hands.
Transfer to a 5-star hotel in New Delhi. After a short break we embark on
our first journey to discover India. Our introduction to India will be by a
" Rickshaw" ride a mode of transport used in small towns and in
Old Delhi.
We head for a guided city tour to the most interesting
sights of the city that is the Red Fort a fort made of red sand stone which
once housed the world famous PEACOCK throne and the Jama Masjid mosque.
Welcome Dinner at the old Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day - 2 -- » Jaipur We
leave for the pink city of Jaipur arriving for lunch. After lunch day at
leisure to explore the streets and bazars of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 3 -- » Amer We visit the
city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to Amer fort the ancient
capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh in red
sandstone and marble. It has some very intersting apartments like the Sheesh
Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai Mandir, Sukh Niwas Baodi etc.
The highlight of this trip is the elephant ride up the ramparts
of the fort just like the maharajas did. After this we visit the Jaigarh
fort the armoury of the erstwhile state which houses the biggest cannon on
wheels in the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day -
4 -- » Ranthambhor Drive to Ranthambhor the finest national
park of India arriving in the hotel in afternoon. Evening visit the old fort
which overlooks the national park. Overnight hotel.
Day - 5 -- » Ranthambhor Ranthambore
Morning & Evening drives in the park.
Day -
6 -- » Bharatpur Ranthambore - Bharatpur drive to Bharatpur
the capital city of another racial community of India The Jats. Afternoon
visit Bharatpur fort which is different from other Rajasthan forts as it has
thick mud walls which the British army could not break despite laying a
seige for 4 months.
Day - 7 -- » Keoladeo
Ghana National Bird Sanctuary Full day bird watching in possibly
the biggest bird sanctuary in the world Keoladeo Ghana National. To take in
the essence of the park you need to divide your trips into different times
of the day, Early morning take in spectacular sightings of large flocks of
water birds & their exquisite birdsongs. At dusk catch the elusive bird
(night herons ,bitterns & owls). Post lunch catch the python basking in
the sun.Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 8 - Agra Take the road for Agra Enroute we
visit the ancient city of Fathepur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar as thanks
giving for the saint who blessed him with a son. In the afternoon check in
to the hotel. After a short break leave for the Agra Fort. The fort where
Emperor Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive by his son Emperor
Aurangzeb, who had usurped the throne of India. One can see the magnificant
Taj from the quarters in which the emperor was jailed. Before sunset visit
the Taj a monument of Love and romance. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 9 -- »
Orcha Take an executive class airconditioned train to Jhansi drive
to Orcha the old capital of the Bundhela Kings who were the contempories of
the Mughal Emperors. Check into the hotel on the banks of the river. Go
exploring the marvels of Bundhelkhand. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 10 -- » Bhandavgarh National Park Some
more exploring later in the day take the train to Katni / Umaria. Disembark
for Bhandavgarh National Park. Afternoon take the first drive into the park
if luck favours us we will sight the Tiger. As the concentration of tiger
population is highest in this park hence our chances of sighting. Overnight
at hotel / camp.
Day - 11 -- » Bhandavgarh
National Park Full day for the park. We will take two trips into
the park. Early morning on elephant back, post lunch & evening in jeeps.
Day
- 12 -- » Khajuraho Bandhavgarh - Khajuraho. Drive to
Khajuraho the citadel of power of the Chandela Kings in 10th &11th
century. Khajurao has been declared a World Heritage Site. Though famous for
its Erotic temple sculpture Khajurao is much more then just Kamasutra. The
question which comes to mind is how could any society approve of such
eroticism in a place of worship. To answer this question only a visit to
khajurao can do. Overnight at the hotel.
Day -
13 -- » Varanasi Walk the streets of Khajurao leave for the
airport around 11:30 A.M. to catch the flight for Varanasi the oldest living
city in India and one of the worlds most ancient previously known as Kashi
in the times of Puranas and Vedas. Its also the second most important
religious city on the Ganges. After check in and a short break visit the
bazar of Benaras which is an experience of a life time even for the Indians
living in other cities. Varanasi is a city which can not be described it can
only be experienced. Around sunset take a visit to the ghats (Banks of river
ganga) and a boat ride in the Ganges to see the AARTI (culmination of the
days prayers with lamps) which are offered to the mother Ganga and left to
float in the river. It's a spectacle seen nowhere else in the world. It
seems that stars are floating in the river.
Day
- 14 -- » Kashi Early morning again visit the ghats before
sunrise to see people praying to the Sun god another experience of its kind.
After breakfast visit Kashi Vishwanath temple the most important temple of
Lord Shiva in India Saranath where lord Budha preached his first Sermon. It
was here he revealed the eight fold path of Nirvana.
Day - 15 -- » Delhi Varanasi - Delhi In the
morning take another river cruise on the Ganges. In the evening, fly to
Delhi to catch your international flight.
